Entel first to meet new MED/5.20 onboard Fire fighter Standard

Based on recommendations from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and endorsed by the EU, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reinterpreted the requirements and set ATEX IIB as the minimum new standard for all new Fire fighter Radios on-board EU flagged vessels.

From 3 October 2022, only Wheelmark approved Fire fighter Radios will comply with the new Marine Equipment Directive (MED) standard and meet the requirement to ensure all equipment is appropriate for the safeguarding of life and assets in extreme conditions and life-threatening situations.

Entel, a market leader in the design and manufacturing of commercial-grade maritime onboard communications, will be the first to offer a new range of MED compliant radios. Entel’s class-leading distinctive red bodied DTEx Series Fire fighter Radios are available in ATEX IIB, and for vessels requiring a more stringent gas rating, there is also an ATEX IIC variant.

The Entel DTEx Series Fire fighter Radios will available from April 2020, in both VHF or UHF model variants to future proof and ensure continued conformance. The UHF variant also supports Digital mode which gives significantly better audio, extended range and longer battery life in comparison to analogue radios.

Entel Managing Director Metin Pallenberg commented; ”In an emergency, when lives are at stake fire fighters must be able to rely on their communications, Entel is committed to continuing to develop market-leading technologies for the worlds most demanding applications.”

As standard, the DTEx Fire fighter Radios feature high visibility OLED display, high torque ergonomic controls designed for gloved-hand use, and industry-leading IP68 2m 4 hours submersible rating. Entel also offer an extensive range of accessories including Draegor BA, most popular for Fire Fighters is the CXR bone conductive throat and skull microphones which eliminate ambient noise, further enhanced by DTEx’s speech tailoring technology delivering intelligible communications first time, every time.

In the latest version of the Implementing Regulation (IR) 2019/1397 to the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU, fire fighters two-way radiotelephone apparatus is included as a new item MED/5.20. Based on this, MED approved DT Series Wheelmarked radios were accepted for installations from 3 October 2019.

By adopting the fire fighter radio in the MED, the EU is highlighting that these radios are an important part of safety on-board. As a consequence, these radios are moved from the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) to the MED. Technically this change of directive does not require any changes to Entel RED approved Fire Fighter radios already on board.